James Brand

James Brand is an Executive at ENS in the Natural Resources and Environment practice. His practice focuses on Environmental Law, specialising in ESG, water law, renewable energy and climate.

James is a member of the ESG working group at ENS and has conducted webinars on ESG to the consumer goods and agricultural sectors. He has advised banks and asset managers in the development and adoption of ESG policies, developed green lease precedents for clients and advised financial institutions on their internal processes to ensure ESG considerations are embedded in the investment process.

He has expertise in advising the agribusiness sector on water law related matters, including verifying existing lawful water use entitlements, water use licence requirements, water use disputes, waste water authorisation, water transfers and drought mitigation, as well as representing clients in their dealings with the Department of Water and Sanitation and the Blue Scorpions. He has also advised on the establishment of a programme of activities in the agribusiness sector to allow for the benefits of the carbon tax offset regulations to be realised for the adoption of regenerative agricultural practices.

James has advised both developers and funders of renewable energy projects under all six of the South African government's renewable energy procurement processes, and has more than a decade's worth of experience in advising clients on the requirements for bid submission and thereafter financial close.

He has acted for international and local clients as well as government entities, national parks and nature reserves in industries including mining, nuclear energy, construction, agriculture and aquaculture. His experience also includes advising on a variety of environmental law issues in accordance with the National Environmental Management Waste Act 59 of 2008 and other related legislation, and representing interested and affected landowners in opposition to potentially environmentally damaging urban and rural developments.

He holds a BA and an LLB from the University of Cape Town, an LLM from the University of Stockholm and a certificate in ESG Investing and Analysis from the CFA Institute, and is admitted as an attorney of the High Court of South Africa. He is recognised by Chambers Global Guide for Environmental Law, by Best Lawyers for Environmental Law, and by The Legal 500 EMEA Green Guide as a Green Ambassador in South Africa.